Oxfam: EUR 1 billion for a colossal NGO that is costing us a fortune

Priority question for written answer P-001591/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Virginie Joron (PfE)

European Court of Auditors Special Report 11/2025 reveals shortcomings in the transparency of EU funding for non-governmental associations.

Oxfam is believed to have received EUR 795 million between 2014 and 2023[1]. However, its lobbying office in Brussels[2] reports having received no EU subsidies for 2023-2024, while Oxfam Belgium discloses EUR 7 million for 2023, with inconsistencies in its overall budget (EUR 47.5 million declared and incorrect calculations)[3].

The sky-high salaries of some of its executives (up to EUR 155 000 per year)[4] and its sale of goods in shops raise questions about Oxfam's status as a charitable association and the legitimacy of the European, national and regional public funds it receives.

• 1.How can the Commission explain the failure to check the inconsistencies in Oxfam's financial arrangements or declarations (no subsidies declared by one entity, EUR 7 million by another; incorrect budget for Oxfam Belgium and its status as a charitable, non-profit-making association[5])?
• 2.Oxfam claims to be a charitable association even though it engages in commercial transactions and some of its executives receive exorbitant salaries: at what threshold of executive remuneration does the Commission consider that an organisation has a commercial or profit-making purpose?
• 3.Are national and European subsidies to Oxfam compatible with competition rules on state aid and the Treaties?

Submitted: 22.4.2025

• [1] https://ec.europa.eu/budget/financial-transparency-system/analysis.html
• [2] https://transparency-register.europa.eu/searchregister-or-update/organisation-detail_en?id=46856801604-90
• [3] https://transparency-register.europa.eu/searchregister-or-update/organisation-detail_en?id=961809845865-57
• [4] EUR 155 000 in Great Britain (Grok); EUR 126 000 in 2023 for the PDG of Oxfam Ireland p.93: https://www.oxfamireland.org/sites/default/files/2023-09/2022_2023%20Oxfam%20Ireland%20Annual%20Report%20.pdf
• [5] https://transparency-register.europa.eu/guidance/guidelines_en#ref-5-information-to-be-entered-in-the-register